T-cell receptor gammadelta T-cell leukemia with the morphology of T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia and a postthymic immunophenotype

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a postthymic T-cell neoplasm with a characteristic morphology and heterogeneous immunophenotype. Most cases of T-PLL express membrane T-cell receptors (TCRs) of the alphabeta phenotype. We experienced a 30-year-old man suffering from TCRgammadelta T-cell leukemia with morphology compatible to T-PLL with a postthymic phenotype. He was admitted with skin eruption and pancytopenia. Peripheral blood and bone marrow were occupied with medium-sized lymphocytes, which had moderately condensed chromatin with a single nucleolus and sparse, nongranular basophilic cytoplasm. The immunophenotype was CD1a-, CD2-, CD3+, CD4-, CD5+, CD7+, CD8-, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase negative. Hepatosplenomegaly was absent. He was diagnosed as having T-PLL and was treated with combination chemotherapy. Six months later the leukemic cell became chemoresistant. Although the patient showed transient improvement in response to pentostatin, he died 13 months after the diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of T-PLL with a TCRgammadelta phenotype.

Reactivation of latently infected hepatitis B virus in a leukemia patient with antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen

A 66-year-old man with chronic B-cell leukemia who had antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) but not hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) suffered from lethal hepatitis caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. He initially lacked circulating viral genomes in his sera and did not have a past history of liver dysfunction. In this patient, the immunosuppressive condition introduced by disease progression of leukemia induced reactivation of dormant HBV, and the withdrawal of chemotherapy resulted in fatal liver failure. Mutation-specific assay based on competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analyses revealed the predominant reactivation of an HBV strain with missence mutation (point mutation G-to-A at nucleotide 1896) in the precore regions, as well as point mutations in the core promoter regions. Therefore, it is important to note the risk of HBV reactivation, with resulting lethal hepatic failure, in anti-HBc-positive healthy individuals, even when they lack HBsAg. who receive immunomodulating therapy.

Participation in psychosocial group intervention among Japanese women with primary breast cancer and its associated factors

Though psychosocial group intervention is considered in the West to be an important source of support for reducing psychosocial distress in cancer patients, in Asian countries, there has been no research as yet on the needs for such intervention. This study investigated the level of participation and interest in psychosocial group intervention plus any associated factors in 151 primary breast cancer patients. All were less than 65 years old at 4-18 months post-surgery. Of the 126 subjects who responded (response rate 83%), 53 (42%) participated (participants) and 73 (58%) did not (non-participants). Participation was greater among those with a high level of anxiety measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (odds ratio [OR], 3.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-10.42), those who had undergone surgery within the last 12 months (OR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.35-7.55), and those who were 50-65 years old (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.33-7.66). Among the non-participants, 53 (73%) were interested in the intervention while 20 (27%) were not. Non-participants without any interest in the psychosocial group intervention had significantly higher anxiety levels than those with interest (t=-2.08; df=71; p=0.03). These results suggest that most Japanese breast cancer patients who need psychological support can be sought out by asking whether they are willing to participate in a psychosocial group intervention. However, the minority not interested in any psychological group intervention might need other supports such as medication or individual psychotherapy.

Effects of bisphosphonate on the remodeling of rat sagittal suture after rapid expansion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of bisphosphonate (BP), an inhibitor of bone resorption, on the remodeling of the rat sagittal suture after rapid expansion. Wistar strain male rats were divided into 4 groups and subjected to rapid mechanical expansion with an initial force of 60 g for 3 days. Immediately after the sutural expansion, the appliance was removed in 2 of the groups. In the S group, half of the animals were injected with saline solution daily for 3 days and the other half were injected daily for 7 days prior to sacrifice. In the B group, half of the animals were injected with bisphosphonate daily for 3 days and the other half were injected daily for 7 days prior to sacrifice. The remaining 2 groups underwent 7 days of mechanical retention before the appliance was removed. In the SR group, half of the animals were injected with saline solution daily for 3 days and the other half were injected daily for 7 days prior to sacrifice. In the BR group, half of the animals were injected with bisphosphonate solution daily for 3 days and the other half were injected daily for 7 days prior to sacrifice. The calvariae were fixed in 4% neutral formalin, decalcified, and embedded in paraffin. The amount of relapse and the relevant bone remodeling were evaluated in terms of a relapse ratio and the number of osteoclasts. The relapse ratio was 54.11% in the S group and 32.53% in the B group 7 days after the injection. This ratio was 25.13% in the SR group and 9.60% in the BR group. The number of osteoclasts 3 days after injection was 15.47 in the S group, which was significantly greater than the 5.26 present in the B group. This number was 7.08 in the SR group, which was significantly greater than the 1.83 in the BR group. These results demonstrate that the injection of BP after rapid expansion, if combined with mechanical retention, may produce more secure retention by inhibiting bone resorption, indicating a possibility of employing a pharmaceutical aid to decrease the skeletal relapse after mechanotherapy in clinical orthodontics.

Clinical effect of irinotecan in advanced and metastatic breast cancer patients previously treated with doxorubicin- and docetaxel-containing regimens

BACKGROUND

Previous phase II trials in Japan suggested that irinotecan was a promising agent for advanced or metastatic breast cancer pretreated with anthracycline. However, irinotecan has not yet been evaluated in the salvage setting for breast cancer pretreated with both anthracycline and taxane, which are two active agents for breast cancer.

METHODS

The efficacy and safety of irinotecan were retrospectively evaluated in patients with breast cancer who had previously been treated with both doxorubicin and docetaxel. From 1996 to 1999, irinotecan was administered to 20 patients, all with a performance status of <2. Irinotecan treatment was repeated in approximately 6 week cycles consisting of the administration of irinotecan once weekly for 4 weeks followed by a 2 week rest. The median dose of irinotecan administered was 100 mg/m(2) weekly. The median number of irinotecan cycles given was 1 (range: 1-8 cycles). The median total dose was 388 mg/m(2) (range: 50-2400 mg/m(2)).

RESULTS

Performance status declined to >3 after treatment with irinotecan in four patients. Two patients had grade 3 leukopenia; three had grade 3 anemia and one had a creatinine elevation of grade 4. The objective response rate for all patients was 5.0% (95% CI: 0-15.5%). The median time to progression and overall survival were 35 days (range: 17-285 days) and 124 days (range: 17-667 days), respectively, since the start of the administration of irinotecan.

CONCLUSIONS

Salvage chemotherapy with irinotecan may be inactive against advanced and metastatic breast cancer pretreated with doxorubicin and docetaxel. We will evaluate irinotecan for advanced and metastatic breast cancer patients as first- or second-line chemotherapy combined with anthracycline or taxane.

Clinical and pathologic factors predicting axillary lymph node involvement in breast cancer

The diagnosis of axillary disease remains a challenge in the management of breast cancer and is a subject of controversy. In 1998, the Japanese Breast Cancer Society conducted a study assessing axillary lymph node involvement in breast cancer. The study included (a) clinical assessment by pre-operative imaging modalities, (b) histologic assessment for peritumoral lymphatic invasion, (c) biologic assessment by gelatinolytic activity using film in situ zymography, and (d) sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. Clinical assessments by CT, PET, and US as well as biologic assessment were limited in their ability to detect axillary lymph node disease, although these imaging techniques may be useful to exclude node-positive patients from the need for SLN biopsy. Histologic assessment for peritumoral lymphatic invasion was useful, particularly for detecting false-negative cases by SLN biopsy. Nevertheless, the utility of SLN biopsy in assessing axillary nodal status was confirmed. Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be avoided in patients with a small tumor and a negative SLN. However, further studies will be required to investigate the value of SLN biopsy for predicting regional control and survival before it can replace routine ALND as the optimal staging procedure for operable breast cancer.

A case of disseminated extrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma after US-guided biopsy and percutaneous ethanol injection therapy

A case of disseminated extrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring after ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy and percutaneous ethanol injection therapy is presented. A 72-year-old man with hepatitis-C-virus-related cirrhosis underwent percutanous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) two times with complete remission: the first for moderately-differentiated HCC in segment six (S6), and the second for well-differentiated HCC in another part of S6. Imaging studies including carbon dioxide (CO(2))-US angiography, incremental computed tomography, and dynamic magnet resonance imaging showed that both HCCs were hypovascular. Twenty-one months after the first PEIT and 7 months after the second, a 5.5x4.5 cm extrahepatic mass interfaced with S6 of the liver was detected by imaging studies. The patient underwent surgery for extrahepatic HCC. Grossly, the main tumor was 5.5x4.5 cm with capsule and septum; the disseminated tumors were detected on the surface of the liver, including the right diaphragm and the falx ligamentosa. Histologically, it was moderately- to poorly-differentiated HCC, which, although not attributed to direct track seeding, was suspected of being induced by the percutaneous US-guided biopsy procedure or by PEIT, irrespective of a hypovascular tumor. Further studies may provide insight into the risk factor engendered by these procedures.

Quantification of red blood cell fragmentation by automated haematology analyser XE-2100

The extent of red blood cell fragmentation in peripheral blood is useful for diagnosis and follow-up in many diseases, e.g. haemolytic uremic syndrome, transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (BMT-TMA). However, this quantification still relies on manual counting of fragmented red cells on blood smears. We have developed a quantification system by gating a fixed area of fragmented red blood cells (Gate 1) on an automated haematology analyser (XE-2100, Sysmex Co., Kobe, Japan). The fragmented red cell percentage (FRC%) calculated with this system, from 100 samples, was highly correlated with the manual count (r=0.902, P < 0.0001). Because microcytic anaemia specimens usually occupy a lower position on the XE-2100 scattergram, with microcytic cells overlapping Gate 1 and causing a spuriously high FRC% calculation, a supplementary gate (Gate 2) was added. Using the particle number in this gate as well as in Gate 1, a revised method for such samples was developed and its validity confirmed (revised FRC% correlated with a manual count for 10 subjects (P < 0.001). Because this gating system can be programmed on any XE-2100, it is likely to prove useful for accurate quantification of red blood cell fragmentation and for the monitoring of the development of BMT-TMA.

Highly proliferative fibroblasts forming fibrotic focus govern metastasis of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast

We have already reported that invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) with fibrotic focus (FF) have more aggressive characteristics than those without FF. FF is composed of a mixture of fibroblasts and various amounts of collagen fibers, suggesting that highly proliferative fibroblasts forming FF increase the malignant potential of IDCs with FF. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there is a difference of proliferative activity of fibroblasts forming and not forming FF, which plays an important role in the tumor progression of IDCS: Two hundred three consecutive cases of IDC of the breast surgically treated at the National Cancer Center Hospital East formed the basis for this study. The proliferative activity of the fibroblasts forming the FF was immunohistochemically evaluated by using mouse MIB-1 monoclonal antibody against Ki-67 antigen. The MIB-1 labeling index (LI) is the percentage of fibroblasts forming FF that have positively stained nuclei, and 300 fibroblasts were counted in each FF. The significance of the proliferative activity of fibroblasts forming FF with regard to lymph node metastasis (LNM) or distant-organ metastasis (DOM) was compared with well-known prognostic parameters. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high MIB-1 LI of fibroblasts forming FF significantly increased the relative risk of LNM and the hazard rate of DOM (P < .001 and P = .009). The present study indicated that the metastatic ability of IDCs with FF is highly dependent on the proliferative activity of the fibroblasts forming FF.

Kinetic analysis of cytokine gene expression in patients with GVHD after donor lymphocyte infusion

Patients who receive a donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) for the treatment of relapsed leukemia after allogeneic BMT (alloBMT) often developed GVHD. To determine whether cytokines might have a role in GVHD, an intensive kinetic analysis of in vivo cytokine gene expression was performed on PBMC from three such patients. Expression of IL-1beta, IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IL-2Ralpha was examined using a sensitive semi-quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay system. Six normal controls were also analyzed for comparison. Expression of type 1 T helper (Th1) cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-gamma was greatly increased in all three patients. In particular, the changes in IL-2 gene expression correlated well with disease progression, suggesting that IL-2 has a critical role in the development of GVHD. Although the pattern of type 2 T helper (Th2) cytokine gene expression differed in each patient, the expression of IL-4 was inversely related to expression of Th1 cytokines. These results suggest that Th1 dominates in the development of human clinical GVHD.

Donor leukocyte infusion for Japanese patients with relapsed leukemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: indications and dose escalation

To clarify the role of dose escalation of donor leukocyte infusion (DLI) in the treatment of relapsed leukemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT), data from 100 patients were collected from 46 facilities in Japan and analyzed with respect to indications and infused cell dose. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 11 of 12 (91%) patients with relapsed chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in the chronic phase, 3 of 11 (27%) with CML in the acute phase, 8 of 21 (38%) with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), 6 of 23 (25%) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and 5 of 11 (45%) with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The probability of remaining in CR at 3 years was 82% in CML patients in the chronic phase, but 0% in those with CML in the acute phase, 7% in those with AML, 0% with ALL, and 33% with MDS. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (> or = 2) developed in 31 of 89 (34%) patients with human leukocyte antigen identical related donors and was fatal for 7 (7%). A leukocyte dose of 1 x 10(7)/kg of recipient body weight with CML in the chronic phase, 3 x 10(7)/kg of recipient body weight with MDS, and 1 x 10(8)/kg of recipient body weight with acute leukemia appeared to be optimal as an initial dose of DLI. However, the minimal dose of leukocyte developing fatal GVHD was 7 x 10(7)/kg of recipient body weight. These suggest that a relatively small dose of DLI ranging from 1 x 10(7)/kg to 5 x 10(7)/kg of recipient body weight should be administered initially then the infused escalating dose 2 or 3 months later in patients with CML in the chronic phase and MDS. However, a large number of leukocytes around 1 x 10(8)/kg are needed to induce graft versus leukemia effects in patients with acute leukemia despite a 7% fatality in GVHD.

Biomedical and psychosocial determinants of psychiatric morbidity among postoperative ambulatory breast cancer patients

There has been much interest in the psychosocial issues faced by breast cancer patients because of the high prevalence of the disease and the severe psychological impact of the cancer itself, as well as its treatment. The objective of our study was to investigate the determinants of psychiatric morbidity among postoperative ambulatory breast cancer patients. The variables examined included the patients' biomedical characteristics, demographic characteristics, current concerns, coping responses and social support factors. Patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale (MAC scale), and information pertaining to demographic variables, current concerns and social support factors was obtained by a specially designed questionnaire. Available data were obtained from 148 randomly selected postoperative ambulatory breast cancer patients. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity (including clinical anxiety and depression) evaluated by using the HADS cut-off point was 23%. The results of univariate analyses indicated that pain, dyspnea, having children with health problems, various other concerns (about children, other family members, the patients' own health and future treatment) and poor coping responses (low fighting spirit, high anxious preoccupation, high fatalism and high helplessness/hopelessness) were significant determinants of the patients' psychiatric morbidity. Additionally, in the logistic regression analysis, having children with health problems and having a low fighting spirit and a high helplessness/hopelessness were final significant determinants. Postoperative ambulatory breast cancer patients with these problems should be given careful attention, and psychosocial intervention may be beneficial for them.

Successful Cytoreduction with CAG (cytarabine, Aclarubicin and G-CSF) Therapy in Refractory Acute Myelogenous Leukemia before Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) has a poor prognosis, and a long-term survival cannot be expected in most patients even if allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) or allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) is performed. An abundance of residual leukemic cells and poor performance status of patients before allo-BMT are often associated with a high relapse rate and high transplant-related mortality. Thus, to improve the prognosis of patients with refractory AML undergoing allo-BMT, it is necessary to reduce the leukemic cell volume as low as possible without severe complications. In this report, we used CAG (cytarabine, aclarubicin and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)) therapy for cytoreduction before allo-BMT or allo-PBSCT in five patients with refractory AML. One of them achieved complete remission (CR) by CAG therapy alone and others achieved major tumor reduction prior to BMT and PBSCT. All patients achieved CR after allo-BMT and allo-PBSCT without severe complications. Three of them have remained CR for 9, 21 and 30 months, respectively. Although the results of this feasibility study are preliminary, the pre-transplant CAG therapy for refractory AML deserves further evaluation.

Donor leukocyte infusion for Japanese patients with relapsed leukemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: lower incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease and improved outcome

To clarify the role of donor leukocyte infusion (DLI) in the treatment of leukemia relapsing after allo-BMT, data from 100 patients were collected from 46 facilities in Japan and analyzed with respect to the efficacy and adverse effects of donor leukocyte infusion. Complete remission was achieved in 11 of 12 (91%) patients with relapsed chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in chronic phase, three of 11 (27%) with CML in the acute phase, eight of 21 (38%) with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), six of 23 (25%) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and five of 11 (45%) with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The probability of remaining in CR at 3 years was 82% in CML patients in the chronic phase, but 0% in those with CML in the acute phase, 7% in those with AML, 0% with ALL and 33% with MDS. Acute GVHD (>/=2) developed in 31 of 89 (34%) patients with HLA-identical related donors and was fatal for seven (7%). Cytopenia developed in 21 of 94 (22%) with no associated fatalities. When the outcome of patients with CML in CP and MDS was analyzed, development of GVHD, cytopenia, or both, was associated with a higher GVL effect (15 of 16, 93%) than in those without adverse affects (one of 6, 17%). A leukocyte dose of 5 x 107/kg of recipient body weight appeared to be optimal as an initial dose of DLI. Given the relatively low incidence of acute GVHD and the similar GVL effect, DLI may be more beneficial to patients in Japan with recurrent leukemia than to those in Western countries. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 26, 769-774.

Long-term molecular remission induced by donor lymphocyte infusions for recurrent acute myeloblastic leukemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

A case of acute myelogenous leukemia with a t(8;21) translocation relapsed 5 months after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT). After chemotherapy-induced hematologic remission, the patient received donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI); 4.9 x 108/kg T cells were infused. After DLI, she achieved molecular CR for the first time after allo-BMT, which lasted for 40 months. However, she suffered from grade III acute GVHD of the skin and the liver. Hepatic GVHD was sustained and resulted in fatal outcome. The case demonstrates that DLI is a double-edged sword. Further study is necessary before DLI can be considered to be a beneficial therapy for acute leukemia. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 26, 809-810.

A psychosocial group intervention for Japanese women with primary breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To the authors' knowledge, there had been no evidence for the efficacy of psychosocial intervention among Japanese cancer patients. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a psychosocial group intervention in reducing psychologic distress and enhancing coping in this population in a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

The patient selection criteria were age younger than 65 years, lymph node metastasis positive and/or histologic or nuclear Grade 2-3, and surgery undergone within the previous 4-18 months as of the start of the study. We conducted a 6-week, structured, psychosocial group intervention. The intervention consisted of health education, coping skills training, stress management, and psychologic support. Subjects were assessed for psychologic distress and coping by administering the Profile of Mood States (POMS), Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS) scale at the baseline, at 6 weeks, and at 6 months.

RESULTS

Fifty (33%) of the 151 patients participated and were randomized, and 46 (30%) completed the study. The experimental group had significantly lower scores than the controls for total mood disturbance and significantly higher scores for vigor on the POMS, and significantly higher scores for fighting spirit on the MAC at the end of the 6-week intervention. These improvements were sustained over 6 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that a short term psychosocial group intervention produces significant long term improvement in the quality of life of Japanese patients with primary breast carcinoma.

Epstein-Barr virus-negative high grade B cell lymphoma of donor origin developing 19 months after unrelated allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

A 22-year-old man, in first complete remission of acute myelogenous leukemia, developed a high grade B cell lymphoma 19 months after an allogeneic bone marrow transplant (allo-BMT) from an HLA-identical unrelated donor. Biopsy of a cervical lymph node revealed a lymphoma that was negative for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small nuclear RNAs (EBERs) in situ hybridization. Genotypic analyses identified the lymphoma to be of donor origin, and there was no evidence of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in the lymphoma by Southern blot analysis. The lymphoma went into complete remission, following four courses of combination chemotherapy, but relapsed after a month and the patient died of congestive heart failure. The patient was thought to be persistently immunosuppressed 11 months after cessation of immunosuppressants, and the lymphoma was thought to be induced by one or more factors other than EBV.

A multicenter validation study of sentinel lymph node biopsy by the Japanese Breast Cancer Society

Several pilot studies have indicated that SLN biopsy can be used to identify axillary lymph node metastases in patients with breast cancer. To confirm this finding, a multicenter study in a variety of practice settings was performed. A total of 674 patients with breast cancer at five institutions were enrolled. The techniques of SLN identification included the vital dye-guided and the vital dye- and gamma probe-guided methods. The SLN was removed, and complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was performed. SLN and ALND specimens were examined separately. The SLN was successfully identified in 214 (94%) of 227 patients using the combined dye- and gamma probe-guided methods. The SLN was identified in 332 (74%) of 447 patients using vital dye-guided method alone. Patient age of at least 21 years, medially located primary tumor, and clinically positive nodes were correlated with failure to identify the SLN. The accuracy of SLN biopsy for the detection of metastatic disease was 96% (522 of 546), and the sensitivity was 90% (203 of 226). Accuracy of 100% was achieved in the patients with tumors less than 1.6 cm in diameter. All 23 false negative results occurred with larger primary tumors. SLN biopsy can accurately predict the presence or absence of axillary lymph node metastases, particularly in patients with small (< or = 1.5 cm) breast cancers.

Response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in an autoimmune neutropenic adult

Clinical value of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) has not been well established. We experienced an adult case of AIN which showed an excellent response to G-CSF. A 75-year-old female was admitted with high-grade fever. Her neutrophil count was remarkably low (neutrophil 0.09 x 10(9)/l). Antigranulocyte autoantibody was demonstrated in her serum by an immunofluorescence method and she was diagnosed as AIN. Administration of G-CSF (filgrastim 5 microgram/kg) gave a rapid increase of neutrophils (from 0.11 x 10(9)/l to 2.10 x 10(9)/l on the second day), which has enabled us to preserve the use of G-CSF for emergency, that is, for overt serious infection.

[Progression of refractory thrombocytopenia to chronic myelomonocytic leukemia accompanied by various inflammatory reactions]

A 51-year-old man was admitted for treatment of severe thrombocytopenia in May 1997. A diagnosis of MDS RA (refractory thrombocytopenia; RTC) was made by bone marrow examination, which revealed mild marrow hypoplasia and a reduced number of megakaryocytes accompanied by micromegakaryocytes and hypolobular megakaryocytes. Chromosome analysis demonstrated 46, XY, t(5;7) (q31;q22) in all 20 cells examined. The patient received only supportive therapy including platelet transfusion, until leukocytosis and monocytosis gradually developed in November 1998. In view of a marked increase in the number of monocytes (more than 3,000/microliter), a diagnosis of CMML was made in December 1998. As the leukocytosis progressed, various inflammatory symptoms such as facial erythema and endophthalmitis developed. Administration of interferon alpha (IFN alpha) unexpectedly worsened the leukocytosis and monocytosis, suggesting abnormal responses of these cells to IFN alpha. Detailed molecular analysis of these cells might reveal a novel mechanism of leukemogenesis associated with 5q31.

[Randomized comparative study of CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil) and UFT-tamoxifen regimens as adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery for breast cancer: Tochigi Prefectural Study Group for Post-Breast Cancer Adjuvant Chemotherapy]

This prospective randomized study aimed at establishing the optimal postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy regimen for premenopausal n+ breast cancer patients. The treatments were Regimen A, comprising 6 courses of CMF (cyclophosphamide, 100 mg/body on days 1-14; methotrexate, 40 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8; and 5-fluorouracil, 500 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8), and Regimen B, consisting of UFT (300 mg/day) and tamoxifen (30 mg/day) administered orally each day for 2 years. Telephone registration allocated the patients to the treatment groups by the minimization method in relation to the T category, number of n+ lesions and estrogen receptor status. Forty-five patients were registered, and 44 of them were eligible (22 cases each to Regimen A and Regimen B). The principal background factors showed no biases between the groups. The adverse reaction incidence was significantly higher with Regimen A (90.9% vs 22.7%). The 5-year survival rate was 89.8% with Regimen A and 100% with Regimen B, while the 5-year disease-free rates were 64.5% and 76.3%, showing no statistical significance. Regimen B showed a better QOL rating after 6 months of therapy in relation to nausea-vomiting and hair loss, and after 24 months in relation to appetite, sleep, performance status, happiness, anorexia and hair loss.

[Evidence for Taxotere treatment with solid tumors]

Evidence based medicine is essential to further develop the state of the art for cancer treatments. We introduce the levels of evidence for Taxotere treatment against various solid tumors. Most evidence for Taxotere therapy was produced in other countries. However, in Japan we have some data from phase II clinical trials for the approval of Taxotere. We review these domestic results, which reveal its usefulness and toxicity in Japanese patients. In addition, we analyze the evidence from the data of clinical trials of Taxotere conducted by investigators in the USA/Europe. Japanese physicians or academies must build a consensus for the application of Taxotere to Japanese patients with solid tumors.